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My birth story
Well, it finally happened...Claire Elise has made her entrance into the outside world!
The basic story is this:
1/22 at 11:55 PM- I woke up to pee
1/23 at 12:15 AM- Levi (my son) woke up and started crying. I went to get him some milk and when I came back upstairs I picked him up to change his diaper. When I picked him up, it felt like I peed myself. I called dh in to help with Levi while I went to the bathroom. I saw a pinkish wet spot (pretty large) in my panties.
Assumed my water broke, so we called someone in to stay with Levi and left for the hospital.
1:15 AM- Arrived at hospital and eventually checked for broken water/dilation status, etc... Was told that I was approx 1 centimeter dilated. Contractions were 2 to 3 minutes apart. Also told that my water had NOT broken. That the fluid was probably just due to changes in my cervix, which I found very odd.
2:45 AM- Told to walk around hospital until 4 AM to see if dilation would progress.
4 AM- Still around 1 to 2 cm dilated but starting to "soften" more. Given a shot of Demerol and an antinausea medication to help with pain. Ended up puking b/c of the Demerol.
7 AM- Contractions were coming every minute, but no change in dilation status. SENT HOME!!! Was told to make an appt with my dr's office if contractions continued or got worse and have them check my dilation status. Or, if I felt the need, I could return to the hospital instead, but that I may just be sent home again.
8 AM- Got home and went straight to bed to try and sleep. Contractions were horrific, and nonstop. I was scared to go back to the hospital immediately b/c I'd just left and knew I'd be sent back home. Didn't know if I should make an appt at the dr's office because there was no telling when I'd be seen.The "not knowing what to do" was extremely frustrating...and I'm really upset that they sent me home!!
11:15 AM- Told dh that I needed to get back to the hospital. Contractions were unbearable. I felt nauseous and had a bucket in case I needed to throw up. I was leaning over the bed (with the bucket sitting on it in case I needed it) trying to let a contraction pass. It was a VERY strong contraction and I suddenly felt my water break and gush out. Then I got sick and had to throw up...which kept pushing MORE amniotic fluid out. I told dh to call 911 because at this point I was in such pain that I could not move. He didn't think we needed to go to that extreme...that he could get me to the car. I had to MAKE him dial it!! Men...they seriously have no freak 'in clue.
Ambulance came and the EMT's had to carry me down the stairs because I could not walk due to the strong contractions.
I felt that I was going to give birth any second. During the ambulance ride, I felt the pressure (like I was going to have a bowel movement) and KNEW that I was about to give birth. They couldn't give me any pain medication (b/c they weren't actual doctors). I could not stop myself from "pushing" with each contraction. I would scream that the baby was coming, and one of the EMT's would check to see if the baby was crowning.
Eventually, we made it to the hospital (and I mean they took the LONG route and must have hit every pothole along the way!). I was screaming as we were going down the hallways because I was still pushing with each contraction. A dr came and checked me and said I was fully dilated and to get me to L&D immediately.
I begged for them to give me something for the pain, but they already had my legs up in the stirrups and were telling me to pull my legs back and to push with each contraction. The dr told me it was too late for an epidural or any other pain relief...that the only way to get rid of the pain was to keep pushing unti the baby was out.
My husband (who couldn't come with me in the ambulance) finally came into the room and saw the head already coming out as he approached me. Another 2 minutes and he would have missed his daughter's birth. Claire Elise was born at 12:03 PM on 1/23/09.
I don't have a clue how I found the strength to push a 9 lb 4 oz baby out naturally...but with God's grace, I did.
It was the hardest, most grueling thing I have EVER been through. But amazingly enough, after the dr put my daughter on my stomach for me to hold, I have never felt more pride in myself. I was totally exhausted (mentally, physically, and emotionally) and sore in places I never knew existed...yet I never felt better.
Again, I didn't get the ideal birth that I had hoped for (as my epidural wore off with my first child...but at least I didn't have to feel all the contractions leading up to the actual birth!). However, God HAS...once again...blessed me with a beautiful, healthy child. And for that I'm sooo thankful!
The basic story is this:
1/22 at 11:55 PM- I woke up to pee
1/23 at 12:15 AM- Levi (my son) woke up and started crying. I went to get him some milk and when I came back upstairs I picked him up to change his diaper. When I picked him up, it felt like I peed myself. I called dh in to help with Levi while I went to the bathroom. I saw a pinkish wet spot (pretty large) in my panties.
Assumed my water broke, so we called someone in to stay with Levi and left for the hospital.
1:15 AM- Arrived at hospital and eventually checked for broken water/dilation status, etc... Was told that I was approx 1 centimeter dilated. Contractions were 2 to 3 minutes apart. Also told that my water had NOT broken. That the fluid was probably just due to changes in my cervix, which I found very odd.
2:45 AM- Told to walk around hospital until 4 AM to see if dilation would progress.
4 AM- Still around 1 to 2 cm dilated but starting to "soften" more. Given a shot of Demerol and an antinausea medication to help with pain. Ended up puking b/c of the Demerol.
7 AM- Contractions were coming every minute, but no change in dilation status. SENT HOME!!! Was told to make an appt with my dr's office if contractions continued or got worse and have them check my dilation status. Or, if I felt the need, I could return to the hospital instead, but that I may just be sent home again.
8 AM- Got home and went straight to bed to try and sleep. Contractions were horrific, and nonstop. I was scared to go back to the hospital immediately b/c I'd just left and knew I'd be sent back home. Didn't know if I should make an appt at the dr's office because there was no telling when I'd be seen.The "not knowing what to do" was extremely frustrating...and I'm really upset that they sent me home!!
11:15 AM- Told dh that I needed to get back to the hospital. Contractions were unbearable. I felt nauseous and had a bucket in case I needed to throw up. I was leaning over the bed (with the bucket sitting on it in case I needed it) trying to let a contraction pass. It was a VERY strong contraction and I suddenly felt my water break and gush out. Then I got sick and had to throw up...which kept pushing MORE amniotic fluid out. I told dh to call 911 because at this point I was in such pain that I could not move. He didn't think we needed to go to that extreme...that he could get me to the car. I had to MAKE him dial it!! Men...they seriously have no freak 'in clue.
Ambulance came and the EMT's had to carry me down the stairs because I could not walk due to the strong contractions.
I felt that I was going to give birth any second. During the ambulance ride, I felt the pressure (like I was going to have a bowel movement) and KNEW that I was about to give birth. They couldn't give me any pain medication (b/c they weren't actual doctors). I could not stop myself from "pushing" with each contraction. I would scream that the baby was coming, and one of the EMT's would check to see if the baby was crowning.
Eventually, we made it to the hospital (and I mean they took the LONG route and must have hit every pothole along the way!). I was screaming as we were going down the hallways because I was still pushing with each contraction. A dr came and checked me and said I was fully dilated and to get me to L&D immediately.
I begged for them to give me something for the pain, but they already had my legs up in the stirrups and were telling me to pull my legs back and to push with each contraction. The dr told me it was too late for an epidural or any other pain relief...that the only way to get rid of the pain was to keep pushing unti the baby was out.
My husband (who couldn't come with me in the ambulance) finally came into the room and saw the head already coming out as he approached me. Another 2 minutes and he would have missed his daughter's birth. Claire Elise was born at 12:03 PM on 1/23/09.
I don't have a clue how I found the strength to push a 9 lb 4 oz baby out naturally...but with God's grace, I did.
It was the hardest, most grueling thing I have EVER been through. But amazingly enough, after the dr put my daughter on my stomach for me to hold, I have never felt more pride in myself. I was totally exhausted (mentally, physically, and emotionally) and sore in places I never knew existed...yet I never felt better.
Again, I didn't get the ideal birth that I had hoped for (as my epidural wore off with my first child...but at least I didn't have to feel all the contractions leading up to the actual birth!). However, God HAS...once again...blessed me with a beautiful, healthy child. And for that I'm sooo thankful!
I can't believe I didn't leave a comment on this! I read it to my husband the day it was posted. I couldn't believe that you had to get a ridein the ambulence and i had my husband come over to read it. That's EXACTLY how his is~Very Stubborn!! Thinking we might have time. I freak out about this because we live a hour away from the hospital (I live in a tiny town) and my husband works another hour away~that's 2 hours of driving on top of trying to set up a sitter. This is why I wanted to get induced. I usually labor for only 4-5 hours and if 2 hours are spent at home and another in a car~that's really cutting it close.
I'm just happy to hear that you and baby girl are fine! She's VERY beautiful :) I just hope to have mine soon~
Did the doctor's have a clue what size she was? That's scary!!! But you did FABULOUS!!!!! Congrats again~
I'm just happy to hear that you and baby girl are fine! She's VERY beautiful :) I just hope to have mine soon~
Did the doctor's have a clue what size she was? That's scary!!! But you did FABULOUS!!!!! Congrats again~
How you made it to the hospital to give birth, I'll never know. You were probably 10 cms in the ambulance. Due to the baby's size, that may have been the only thing that kept you from delivering in the ambulance.
You did great. You have one beautiful daughter. You did it momma.
Congratulations. I hope more pictures are soon to come.
Heather
From the MS Forum
You did great. You have one beautiful daughter. You did it momma.
Congratulations. I hope more pictures are soon to come.
Heather
From the MS Forum
wow! what a story. you"ll be telling this one for years.
Super congratulations.
Super congratulations.
congrats. i would have went and choked the nurse/doctor that discharged me a few hours before that though. you are a trooper.
Everyone's having babies!! I cant wait for all of us to have our babies and hear everyone's stories!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congrats on your baby girl! Props to you, thats one big girl! Glad you got to the hospital in time and everything went well!
Wow, another one...that was a great birth story, although you may not feel that way....natural, no drugs....that is so awesome!! Congratulations. She is perfect!!
Oh, my Gosh u had to do it the old fashion way no pain killlers! ur my hero congratulations:) she is adorable. congratulations again:)
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